OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghana's bid to get Thomas Partey into the country for the team’s first World Cup match while the midfielder awaits trial on rape charges.
The ruling means Partey, whose visa application was denied last week, will remain in the United States while his teammates face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana's next two matches — both in the U.S.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial for Partey, who awaits trial in Britain, as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Its appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday.
Partey faces allegations in Britain from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020-25. Partey, who played in Spain for Villarreal this past season, has pleaded not guilty.
In March, a lawyer for Partey said the player intends to plead not guilty to two new charges of rape after a woman alleged Partey twice raped her on the same day in December 2020. Partey had separately been awaiting trial on five counts of rape related to two other women and one count of sexual assault involving another woman, and the new allegations arose after the first set of charges were publicized.
Partey’s lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, told the court Tuesday that as a World Cup host nation, Canada had a “public interest” in allowing the “orderly participation of accredited national team athletes.”
In a statement submitted to the court, Partey had said he would remain under constant supervision of team officials, and will leave Canada when the team does.
Millions of his countrymen are hoping the team advances to the knockout round, he said.
“I have not been convicted of any offense. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent,” Partey said.
Canada officials have said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis regardless of the World Cup.
“He's a tremendous player, everyone knows his ability, and it’s an unfortunate situation,” Ghana forward Brandon Thomas-Asante said Tuesday. “I think we just, as players, we have to adapt.”
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said earlier Tuesday before the ruling that the team would be ready but declined to comment on the appeal.
Ghana's base camp for the World Cup is in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Partey remains eligible to play June 23 when Ghana faces England in Massachusetts. Ghana concludes group play June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.
“As a team, as a family, we are going to give everything for him to be happy and be proud of us,” midfielder Kwasi Sibo said.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
FILE - Villarreal's Thomas Partey sits on the bench during the Champions League soccer match between Tottenham and Villarreal in London, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton, File)
Voters in the San Francisco Bay Area congressional district formerly represented by Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwellcast their ballots Tuesday to determine who will replace him after he resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual assault.
Polls closed at night for the special primary in the 14th Congressional District, which includes East Bay cities such as Fremont, Hayward and Livermore. It heavily favors Democrats, and Swalwell typically beat Republican challengers by wide vote margins.
If any candidate receives over 50% of the vote, they will win outright and serve out the remainder of Swalwell's term through January. If not, the top two from the field of Democratic and Republican candidates will move on to an Aug. 18 runoff.
Among the 11 names on the ballot were Democrats Aisha Wahab, state senator who focused her campaign message on reducing housing costs, and Melissa Hernandez, a Bay Area Rapid Transit director and former mayor of the East Bay city of Dublin.
The two represent different wings of the party that have been battling in numerous states this primary season.
Wahab, a progressive, has focused on combating high costs by expanding the social safety net and taking aim at “corporate profiteering,” while Hernandez, considered a moderate, pushed a platform of job growth and supporting small businesses.
Republicans in the race included Wendy Huang, a real estate investor, and Dena Maldonado, who runs a small flower business.
Separate from the special election, a regular primary was held June 2 for a full term to the seat beginning in January, with many of the same candidates who are on Tuesday's ballot.
Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters June 2 and advanced to the general election in November. If one of them comes out on top in the special election, their hope is that serving in the office for a few months this summer and fall could provide a boost in visibility and some job experience they can tout as they campaign for the full term.
Another Democrat who ran in the earlier primary but who failed to crack the top two, attorney and businessperson Rakhi Israni Singh, was also on Tuesday's ballot.
Swalwell held the seat for seven terms before resigning in April — and also dropping out of this year's governor’s race — after the San Francisco Chronicle reported allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him.
CNN later reported that other women accused him of sending inappropriate messages and nude photos.
Swalwell has repeatedly denied the accusations, but he said it would be unfair to his constituents to remain in Congress.
Melissa Hernandez, right, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 14th district, talks to campaign volunteers during a canvassing event on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Pleasanton, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker )
D-Calif. State Sen. Aisha Wahab stands with a colleague at the state legislature on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker)
Melissa Hernandez, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California's 14th district, knocks on doors on Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Pleasanton, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker )
D-Calif. State Sen. Aisha Wahab attends the state legislature on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Annie Barker)
